Covered Washers/Pattern Weights Tutorial

There are a whole slew of tutorials on making these pattern weights, so yet another might be overkill, but hey, it's my blog and I can do it anyway.  ;-D

I've used large washers as pattern weights for some time, but I always thought it would be nice to pretty them up a bit.  At the greedy gift grab I just attended I saw THE nicest covered washer pattern weights ever, made by the talented (but blogless) Sue Krimmer, whose gorgeous wool felt hats I mentioned in this post on last Fall's Artistry In Fashion.   I was, at last, inspired to make my own.  Covered washers, not hats.  (not that I wouldn't LOVE to make hats.....someday.....)   I should mention that Sue's weights were one of the most stolen and sought after items in the gift grab - they were pretty awesome!

I took a trip to the hardware store to expand my supply of washers.   Actually, 2 hardware stores.  If you have a local store that's well supplied with goodies, just go there first and ignore the big box chains.  Just trust me on this one; I will say no more...

What you'll need:

• Metal Washers.  Minimum size of 2", up to 4", or even larger if you want.  (I used 2" - 3.5")
• Glue to double your washers together (or even triple the smaller ones, if you want)  I used some E6000, and some Devco 60 second Epoxy, just because that's what I had on hand.* 
• Ribbon, fabric strips, bias tape, grosgrain, yarn.....whatever you feel like playing with to cover the washers.
• Glue to finish off the ribbon.  I understand that Liquid Stitch is a good choice; I used Formula 77, just because that's what I had on hand, and it worked well.  (I sprayed it on some paper, then dabbed it onto the ribbon with a toothpick)
• Scissors and Pins**

*Note on the Glue:  You want something to hold the washers together firmly, and several people recommended the E6000, but it may be overkill.   This stuff is potent!!! (use it outside).  You also need to let it set for awhile.  I had some Devco 60 Second Epoxy as well, so I used that up.  It sets up quickly, but I think it's pretty wasteful and expensive.   Once the washers are wrapped up, I think they'll hold together pretty well, so I really think that any glue that's meant for metal will be fine.
**Note on Pins:  You may want to use old ones - since you'll be pushing them through glue, you may not want to use them on fabric again.

Washers (already doubled and glued)
and some vintage trim from stash.

Simply lay your ribbon on the washer and start looping it around.  I find that the 2" washers take less than 2 yards of ribbon, and the larger ones take less than 3 yards, more if you're using really thin ribbon, or yarn.

Once you've wrapped all the way around, cut the ribbon.  I cut mine so that they would end on the inside of the circle, and be less visible.  I folded over the end of the ribbon, glued the fold, then glued the end on the inside circle.  I then pinned the end in place until the glue dried.

Ribbon Pinned in place.

Finished Pattern Weights

I think that ribbon with a pattern of some sort works better than solid.  You'll notice that I embellished (what, me?  Embellish??) the solid ones with extra ribbon or yarn.

All I bought for this project was a few more washers; everything else was from stash, mostly "yard sale vintage".  I loves me a good old estate sale where a seamstress lived - you can nearly always uncover some wonderful treasures for pennies :)

More than once I've ripped a bit of pattern tissue with my uncovered washers, so this not only softens the edges of the metal washers, but the fabric and the weight of the doubled washers holds the patterns in place better.   And they add some fun and color to your work space!   For something so quick and easy, this is definitely a win win win!

And in keeping with the season, as a bonus, you could whip a few of these up as a gift for your favorite sewist  :)